We've been Tango'd - again

It is not often, living abroad as I do, that I get to see Aberdeen in action. The odd live game is taken in if and when the schedule and the airfare allows it, so for the most part I catch up on the Dons news and action via the official website or, for a more critical view, the Aberdeen Mad! notice board.

Earlier on this week an email dropped into my inbox. It came from the RedTV people, telling me I'd be able to see this weekends fixture between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen using their brand new 1mb flash player, allowing me to "watch the game in amazing quality on your PC". Excited at the prospect of seeing the Dons live, at 1630 today I sent the kids outside and the wife to the shops, and sat down in front of my PC to watch the game.

Well, the quality of the picture was certainly good which thankfully made up for the abysmal quality of the football fare on offer.

There's not a lot to say about the game other than that Aberdeen where dire. Endless long balls to no one, poor control, poor passing, absolutely no imagination in our attack and our midfield was unable to provide anything even vaguely resembling a footballing idea.

The only players worth a mention today where Diamond and Foster, possibly even Langfield who made a few good saves. Aside from one quality turn and shot, Aluko - according to many our best player - was terrible, Grassi was unfortunate with the own goal (he had to make an interception from Severin's skewed shot but surely a defender, one ever as poor as Grassi, should have dealt with that better). In Mark Kerr Aberdeen have probably one of the worst captains the club has ever had: too quiet and as a player simply not good enough.

It's hard to see where Aberdeen are going to go from here. This defeat condemns us to a bottom-six finish. If performances like this continue, there is an outside chance of the team getting involved in a relegation battle and it's worth remembering that our bottom six companions have all recorded wins against the Dons this season.

The difference between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen today was the fact that Killie has something to play for. Going into the game they where only one point above Falkirk at the bottom of the table. Kilmarnock are one team who would not survive (financially) should they go down, so every week the team are fighting not only for their league position, but also for the very survival of the club.

There is no similar desire to win at Pittodrie. The season is over, most players know that more than likely they are on their way out. Grassi, Ifil, Mulgrew, Kerr, McDonald, Mackie and even Aluko know their futures at the club are in doubt, yet none of these players seems to have the wherewithal to do something about it, to put in a performance to convince under-fire manager McGhee that they should stay at the club.

Quite simply, they don't care. Judging by the plummeting attendances at Pittodrie, the fans are starting to not care either. A sad end. A sad demise. But inevitable, given today's performance. Mark McGhee's job next season continues to be impossible, namely, to rebuild a team lacking in fight, passion, desire, talent, technique and determination. With no money and with no interest in our players, it's hard to see how next season will be any better.

The current season is not even over, and I'm dreading next season already.

In-depth match reviews can be found at the Aberdeen site and at Rugby Park, an independent Kilmarnock blog.